Many work to make band great experience

Published: Wednesday, June 1, 2005 at 10:34 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 1, 2005 at 2:49 p.m.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the parents and staff of the Vandebilt Catholic High School Regiment. I took over the job as social chairman for the band five years ago not knowing what the job entailed; upon finding out it involved many hours of my time, I was more than a little concerned at how I would master this task of providing hydration to the band members at football games, festivals, parades and three weeks of band camps.

I quickly found out that I had nothing to worry about since I would be working with Brad Adams, band director, and a staff that continually goes above and beyond the duty to help the students of the Vandebilt Regiment to succeed at every level possible. I also was greatly rewarded with parents who would volunteer to help in whatever capacity from donating water, freeze pops, ice, fruit, cups, time, energy and enthusiasm.

The students of the Vandebilt Regiment are extremely gracious, wonderful young adults who I have grown to love as if they were all my own. They work extremely long hard hours with few complaints, and I have watched on numerous occasions the Regiment agree to try it one more time to make the show or music a better product for the event in which they would be performing.

Adams and Abby Lyons direct these young adults to take pride and ownership in their Regiment so that the entire band -- the Vantastics, the flags, the musicians and the drum majors -- continually give their all to the program and succeed because of their sheer determination. The Regiment has been blessed by the fact that the staff and parents of the Vandebilt Regiment are supportive, motivating, enthusiastic individuals who inspire their young adults to work diligently to succeed musically and academically.

I thank everyone who has helped me over the past years and most of all for making my son Nathan's and my experience with the Vandebilt Regiment one that I know we will cherish the rest of our lives.

<p>I would like to take this opportunity to thank the parents and staff of the Vandebilt Catholic High School Regiment. I took over the job as social chairman for the band five years ago not knowing what the job entailed; upon finding out it involved many hours of my time, I was more than a little concerned at how I would master this task of providing hydration to the band members at football games, festivals, parades and three weeks of band camps.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>I quickly found out that I had nothing to worry about since I would be working with Brad Adams, band director, and a staff that continually goes above and beyond the duty to help the students of the Vandebilt Regiment to succeed at every level possible. I also was greatly rewarded with parents who would volunteer to help in whatever capacity from donating water, freeze pops, ice, fruit, cups, time, energy and enthusiasm.</p><p>The students of the Vandebilt Regiment are extremely gracious, wonderful young adults who I have grown to love as if they were all my own. They work extremely long hard hours with few complaints, and I have watched on numerous occasions the Regiment agree to try it one more time to make the show or music a better product for the event in which they would be performing.</p><p>Adams and Abby Lyons direct these young adults to take pride and ownership in their Regiment so that the entire band -- the Vantastics, the flags, the musicians and the drum majors -- continually give their all to the program and succeed because of their sheer determination. The Regiment has been blessed by the fact that the staff and parents of the Vandebilt Regiment are supportive, motivating, enthusiastic individuals who inspire their young adults to work diligently to succeed musically and academically.</p><p>I thank everyone who has helped me over the past years and most of all for making my son Nathan's and my experience with the Vandebilt Regiment one that I know we will cherish the rest of our lives.</p><p>Vanessa Abbott</p><p>Social Chairman 2000-2005, Vandebilt Catholic High School Regiment</p><p>Bourg</p>